LIRR'S 'Belmont Special' Is Off and Running for Fall Racing

The thoroughbreds are back from Saratoga and the LIRR's "Belmont Special" is off and running to beautiful Belmont Park for the fall racing season starting Saturday, Sept. 10.

The LIRR is partnering with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to provide regular train service for racing fans for the Fall Meet -- from Saturday, September 10, through October 30.

Belmont Park is only a half-hour train ride from midtown Manhattan and the LIRR's "Belmont Special" ticket package entitles LIRR customers to a $1 discount off the regular $3 grandstand admission.

Post time is 1 PM on all racing days, except Saturday, October 1 (Jockey Club Gold Cup Day) when the first race is at 12:30 PM. The Park admission gates open at 11:30 AM daily. There is no racing on Monday's and Tuesdays, except Columbus Day, October 10. There is no racing on Wednesday, October 12.

LIRR Service to Belmont Park

The LIRR Belmont Park Service is provided on racing days -- Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays (including Columbus Day, October 10); and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (with the exception of Wednesday, October 12).

Buying LIRR's Belmont Special Tickets

Belmont Package tickets are available at LIRR ticket offices as well as from the gray, blue, and green Touch Screen ticket machines at stations -; just press the "Deals & Getaways" button on the first screen; then select "Belmont Park." Payment can be made with cash, ATM/Debit or Credit Cards (blue machines don't accept cash). The LIRR ticket office at its Belmont station is closed and there are no ticket machines at Belmont.

Weekly and monthly ticket holders can use their tickets for travel to Jamaica and need only purchase a $10 round-trip package ticket at an LIRR station prior to boarding the Belmont Special to cover the fare between Belmont Park and Jamaica. Round-trip tickets are not sold on-board trains. A one-way ticket from Jamaica to Belmont, purchased at an LIRR station to use in conjunction with a monthly or weekly ticket, is $6. One-way tickets for travel between Jamaica and Belmont, sold on trains to use in conjunction with a monthly or weekly ticket, are $11.

To avoid higher on-board fares and save time, customers should purchase round-trip tickets in advance. (Please note: CityTicket is not valid for travel to or from Belmont Park.)

LIRR Train Fares to Belmont Park by Zone:

From New York, Brooklyn, and Woodside:

Purchased at Station: One Way - $7.00 / Round-trip- $13.00
Purchased On-Board Train: One Way- $13.00 / Round-trip -; Not sold on train

From Jamaica

Purchased at Station: One Way - $6.00 / Round-trip- $10.00
Purchased On-Board Train: One Way - $11.00 / Round-trip - Not sold on train

LIRR tickets are good for 14 days from date of sale; refundable within 30 days from date of sale and are subject to a $10 refund processing fee per transaction.

Accessibility

The LIRR's Belmont Station is not wheelchair accessible, and there are no elevators and only limited escalator service. It is necessary to use a staircase to and from most train platforms at Belmont Station.

For additional information, racing fans can contact the LIRR's Travel Information Center at 718-217-5477 (718-217-LIRR). If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service provider or the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 718-217-5477. Customers can also consult the LIRR's Belmont Park Schedule.

For information on races and admission to Belmont Park, call 516-488-6000 or visit NYRA's website at www.nyra.com.